RSI Europe to build drone factory in Panevėžys district

Lithuanian drone manufacturer RSI Europe plans to build a defence systems factory valued at up to 50 million on a nearly 125-hectare plot near the villages of Tarnagala and Upytė in Panevėžys district, LRT reported.

The factory location was confirmed to BNS by Panevėžys district Mayor Antanas Pocius. The two villages have a combined population of about 650 people.

The plot is currently used by Genetiniai ištekliai, a state-owned company managed by the Agriculture Ministry that raises cattle for breeding and meat.

Genetiniai ištekliai chief Audrius Zalatoris said he learned about the planned factory only last week. He criticised the authorities’ actions, saying decisions were being made “like a bulldozer” and that the company had not been consulted.

Zalatoris said the company leases the land from the state under an agreement that has not been terminated. He also said he had received no information from the Agriculture Ministry or the Economy and Innovation Ministry about the planned investment or how the company’s operations would be relocated.

He said Genetiniai ištekliai uses the entire plot to grow and harvest rapeseed, keep cattle, milk cows and sell milk.

Panevėžys district Mayor Pocius said the municipality would soon begin talks with local residents and their representatives. Upytė seniūnija head Giedrius Konežiauskas said he had not been officially informed about the planned construction.

The mayor said the plot allocated for the factory is west of Čičinskas Hill in Panevėžys district. The planned factory location was not disclosed publicly before the Economy and Innovation Ministry and RSI Europe signed an agreement last week.